JOHANNESBURG – The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has completed major upgrades at the Alexandra Community Health Centre, enhancing its emergency and rehabilitation services for road accident victims. Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, addressing the handover event of the state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre in Gauteng, emphasized that the renovations aim to restore dignity and bridge inequality gaps in public healthcare.
According to South African Government News Agency, the refurbishments encompass structural renovations and the provision of new medical equipment for both the rehabilitation centre and the emergency unit. She highlighted that the upgraded facilities would facilitate the ‘Golden Hour rule,’ which underscores the importance of prompt care for accident victims to maximize their chances of survival.
The Accident and Emergency Centre operates around the clock, focusing primarily on emergency medical care. Chikunga noted that pedestrian admissions to the facility have consistently outnumbered those of drivers and passengers, underscoring the prevalence and severity of pedestrian accidents in the community. In the 2022-2023 period, from April 2022 to March 2023, a total of 1,742 patients were treated at the Masakhane Clinic Accident and Emergency Centre.
The minister emphasized the importance of road safety measures and awareness campaigns, particularly during periods with higher accident rates. She pointed out that educating drivers and pedestrians on road safety is crucial in reducing accidents.
Furthermore, the RAF’s role extends beyond physical rehabilitation, offering support to survivors in their emotional, physical, and financial recovery. This approach aligns with RAF’s strategic goals to assist in renovating healthcare facilities that deal with emergency and rehabilitation services.
The renovation project was a collaborative effort with the South African Medical & Education Foundation, a local NGO focused on high-impact community development in impoverished areas. The project employed a community and local resource-based approach, resulting in the creation of approximately 35 temporary jobs, with the workforce sourced locally through community structures. This initiative not only improved the health facility but also contributed to local employment and empowerment, with a significant portion of supplies sourced locally, benefiting nine local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs).
Minister Chikunga underscored the RAF’s intentional effort to involve the Alexandra community directly in this development project, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.